The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty is the best heavy-duty pickup ever. For now, anyway. Dodge is first out of the gate, but Ford and Chevy are prepping new versions of their own workhorses, to be unleashed in 2010, and then it'll again be a level playing field. Until then, Ram HD gets to play undisputed king in an important segment, as heavy-duty pickups account for about a third of the massive full-size truck market.

You'll Like This Car If...

At least until Ford and GM open the barn door on their new heavy duty trucks, the comfortable, capable 2010 Ram Heavy Duty will be the obvious choice for most objective shoppers.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Let's face it: If you're a died-in-the-wool Ford man or GM guy, it hardly matters how good any new Dodge truck is. Beyond that, there isn't much not to like about the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty lineup.

What's New for 2010

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty isn't technically all-new, but it looks and acts the part. New sheetmetal, a new interior (both heavily derived from the new Ram 1500) and re-tuned underpinnings combine in a more stylish, more refined, more capable offensive lineman of a pickup. Also worth noting is that the trucks have earned their own brand, so now the Dodge Ram is just the Ram.

Driving the Ram 3500 Mega Cab

Driving Impressions
We've driven a few versions the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty – we've done some towing, we've taken the Power Wagon off road – but the most revealing moments...

came when we drove, back to back, a 2010 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with the short bed and diesel engine and the equivalent Chevy Silverado. The Ram was notably quieter, smoother, more attractive and more refined than the Chevy. Although the Ram HD has to forego the rear coil springs that help make the Ram 1500 the most fun and most comfortable truck in its segment, the re-tuned suspension and fluid-filled hydro mounts at the rear of the cab do an impressive job of isolating the cabin from the road. How will the new Ram HD fare against the new Ford and Chevy heavy duties looming on the horizon? We'll have to wait and see. But Dodge has set the bar pretty high.

Favorite Features

Ride ComfortIt's not really a feature, but the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty's smooth ride is one of its key strengths, and one you can appreciate every mile.

The design and quality are good, but the best part about the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty's passenger cabin is the long list of available features that includes heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, memory seats/radio/mirror and more tech-centric features highlighted in the Optional Features section of this review. Crew Cab models have dual underfloor storage compartments, the Mega Cab has reclining rear seats, and they're all available with a monstrous center console that's big enough to hold a laptop computer and hanging files.

Exterior

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty is available in three cab styles (Regular, Crew Cab and Mega Cab), two box sizes (6 feet 4 inches and 8 feet) plus single- and dual-rear-wheel configurations. The Ram HD is distinguished from the Ram 1500 by a notably larger grille and taller hood (with stamped louvers) and unique bumpers. We've seen pictures of the next Ford and Chevy heavy duties, and we think the Ram is the most stylish of the three.

The 2010 Dodge Ram HD is as tech-savvy as it is tough, with an options list that includes navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity, SIRIUS Backseat TV (offering Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network), USB music connectivity, 30-gigabyte hard drive, 10-speaker surround sound, backup sensors and a backup camera (for easier trailer hook-ups). The Ram HD also offers an integrated trailer-brake controller for the first time.

Under the Hood

Dodge says 90 percent of Ram HD buyers choose the Cummins turbo diesel, which is standard on the 3500, offers a choice of six-speed auto or manual transmissions and includes the segment's only standard exhaust brake (we didn't get to properly evaluate the braking and stability advantages of the exhaust brake, but it sounded cool). The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 is tow-rated at 13,450 pounds and load-rated at 3,160, while the Ram 3500 checks in at 17,600 pounds and 5,130 pounds, respectively. The lineup also comprises two 4x4 transfer cases (a manual unit standard on 4X4 ST and Power Wagon, an electric unit on all others) and four available axle ratios: 3.42, 3.783, 4.10 or 4.56. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is offered only in conjunction with a five-speed manual transmission.

best truck i have ever owned.

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating

10/10

Value

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Quality

10/10

Performance

10/10

Styling

10/10

Comfort

10/10

Pros: "everything about the truck."

Cons: "non!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"this 09 dodge Laramie is the best all around vehicle I have ever owned. it has unbelievable power,the four wheel drive is tough as nails. I can go anywhere, yet it rides like a car..ive had all the makes of trucks..this is the best."

"I've had virtually every model truck out there, this is my first Ram and it is far & away the most fun to drive. My truck is 5 years old and still gets excellent gas mileage. (17 city/23 hwy) Great power when I need it, too. Interior is roomy enough for 5 big adults to be comfortable. I've upgraded the factory stereo to an Alpine head unit with a pair of Pioneer component speakers up front, Pioneer 3 way 6x9 ovals in the back. I also sacrificed the storage space under the rear seats for a 12" J&L sub and a 1000w Amp. Sounds so much beer than he factory system!"

Dodge did thier homework with this truck.

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating

10/10

Value

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Quality

10/10

Performance

10/10

Styling

9/10

Comfort

10/10

Pros: "Great value,"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my second Dodge truck, it wont be my last. I bought this one fully loaded, nothing missing on this truck. It was well worth the investment. Still looks like it just came out of the showroom with one exception. The leather on the edge of the drivers seat started to delaminate. That's it, everything else is mint.
Hwy 22 MPG, and I don't baby it. City averages around 13. Great power, fabulous ride, very comfortable for someone my size, 6-2/275. Plenty of leg and headroom. Have pulled John Deere trackloaders with this truck without any issues."

Best vehicle I've driven

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating

10/10

Value

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Quality

10/10

Performance

10/10

Styling

10/10

Comfort

10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have pushed the fuel economy to over 27 mpg by staying off the freeway. Excellent four wheel drive system, no difficulties with the engine, drive train, or exhaust. Minor issue with rim leaks, causing tire pressure to drop; had to have the rim cleaned and the tire remounted."

"I had a 2000 Dodge Ram before I bought this truck in Feb of this year. Loved my old one too, Just wanted an upgrade to power windows, locks ect and four doors. This truck runs and sounds great the only issue I have a minor things such as the plastic piece that holds the windows buttons has already came loose, the power plugs for 12v are loose, and the windsheild washer line has already broke ( this happened on my old ram as well)-- Other then the minor things (which this is a 5 year old truck) this truck is amazing.!!!! I would recommend a Ram to anyone and personally I will not ever own anything but a RAM!!!"

BEST VALUE FOR HEMI POWER, SMOOTH RUNNING, SMART

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating

10/10

Value

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Quality

10/10

Performance

10/10

Styling

10/10

Comfort

10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Mine is a 2009 Sport Crew cab with the Hemi, leather, moonroof, heated steering wheel, heated/cooled seats, Alpine Sound, Uconnect, and I bought it with 93k miles! Runs and drives GREAT! The amenities are awesome, Dodge did this one right!"